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Ghana-Italy renew their resolve to
deepen bilateral relations
Accra, July 9, GNA – Ghana and Italy on Monday renewed their
resolve to deepen economic and political co-operation
between the two countries for the mutual benefit of their
peoples.
Speaking to journalists after bilateral talks at the Castle,
Osu, President John Agyekum Kufuor, and visiting Italian
President Giorgio Napolitano, were unanimous in their
assessment of the great prospects for increased partnership.
Relations between the two countries have always been good
with Italy playing key role in Ghana’s development,
particularly in the energy sector.
The Akosombo Hydro-Electric Dam, was constructed by an
Italian Company, the Osagyefo Barge, although financed with
a Japanese facility was built in Italy, while AGIP, an
Italian oil giant, has had a strong presence in the country.
President Kufuor said Ghana wanted a further strengthening
of relations with the European country in the business
front, to push the private sector of the economy.
He therefore called on the Italian Government to use its
institutions to provide the necessary guarantees for its
businesses that were ready to invest in the country.
Additionally, capacity building, technology transfer and
exchange programmes between Ghanaian and Italian tertiary
institutions were areas that needed to engage priority
attention.
President Kufuor said this had become even more important,
given Ghana’s recent discovery of oil and the Italians vast
experience and technological know-how in the energy sector.
He said in the area of agriculture, there were a lot the
country could learn from its European counterpart,
especially with regard to the development and packaging of
tomatoes, oil-palm and shea-butter.
President Kufuor conveyed to the Italian Government and
people, Ghana’s gratefulness for the cancellation of 42
million Euros debt owed that country following the
attainment of the HIPC completion point.
President Napolitano, who is in the country for a three-day
state visit, said his presence was a sign of the attention
and respect for Ghana’s role in the international arena.
He said they used the bilateral talks to take stock of their
political co-operation as both countries were members of the
United Nations (UN) Security Council.
They also reviewed the situations in trouble spots like the
Sudan’s Darfur region and Somalia and the impact on Africa’s
stability.
President Napolitano said the two leaders expressed their
deepest concern for the humanitarian crises in those areas.
There was an affirmation of joint commitment to the training
of civilian personnel attached to peacekeeping missions.
The Italian President would visit Ghana’s Parliament, the
Ohene Djan Sports Stadium and the Kwame Nkrumah Memorial
Park later in the day.
GNA
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